Special Report

States With the Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 11, 2021 4:00 pm

Vaccine distribution is well underway across the United States. Still, the novel coronavirus continues to spread through the population. In the last week alone, there were an average of 240,959 new cases of the virus every day.

Since the first known case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of 22,049,700 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 6,740 per 100,000 people. Of course, infections are not evenly spread across the country, and some states have far higher infections rates per capita than others. The number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people ranges from as low as 1,432 to as high as 12,461, depending on the state.

Though the first case of the novel coronavirus in the United States was on the West Coast, the early epicenter of the outbreak was on the other side of the country, in New York City. In the months since, the parts of the country hit hardest by the virus shifted to the Southeast, the Midwest, and California.

Currently, the states with the lowest number of infections per capita tend to be concentrated in the Northeast, while the states with the highest population-adjusted infection rates are most likely to be located in the Midwest.

The severity of a COVID-19 outbreak across a given state is subject to a wide range of factors. Still, states that had a hands-off approach in the early days of the pandemic are more likely to be worse off today than those that adopted strict measures to control the spread. Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming were the only states that did not issue a statewide stay-at-home order in March or early April — and of those states, all seven currently have a higher infection rate than the U.S. as a whole.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

51. Vermont
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 1,432 per 100,000 people (8,967 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 25 per 100,000 people (156 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 26.78 per 100,000 people
> Population: 626,299

These are all the counties in Vermont where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: maximkabb / iStock

50. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 1,643 per 100,000 people (23,341 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 22 per 100,000 people (309 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 13.93 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,420,491

These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

49. Maine
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,188 per 100,000 people (29,290 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 32 per 100,000 people (432 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 39.47 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,338,404

These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: 4nadia / Getty Images

48. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,999 per 100,000 people (125,683 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 38 per 100,000 people (1,605 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 27.07 per 100,000 people
> Population: 4,190,713

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: aiisha5 / iStock

47. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,604 per 100,000 people (271,595 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 49 per 100,000 people (3,698 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 30.71 per 100,000 people
> Population: 7,535,591

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

46. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,804 per 100,000 people (51,600 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 64 per 100,000 people (869 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 54.24 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,356,458

These are all the counties in New Hampshire where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

45. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,644 per 100,000 people (31,791 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 119 per 100,000 people (817 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 41.22 per 100,000 people
> Population: 702,455

Click here to see all COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

44. Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,683 per 100,000 people (398,856 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 63 per 100,000 people (5,383 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 58.85 per 100,000 people
> Population: 8,517,685

These are all the counties in Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

43. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,075 per 100,000 people (306,674 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 104 per 100,000 people (6,272 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 50.49 per 100,000 people
> Population: 6,042,718

These are all the counties in Maryland where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

42. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,605 per 100,000 people (101,212 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 88 per 100,000 people (1,582 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 80.33 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,805,832

These are all the counties in West Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

41. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,628 per 100,000 people (562,553 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 142 per 100,000 people (14,145 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 34.92 per 100,000 people
> Population: 9,995,915

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

40. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,628 per 100,000 people (720,816 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 139 per 100,000 people (17,770 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 65.75 per 100,000 people
> Population: 12,807,060

These are all the counties in Pennsylvania where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

39. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,764 per 100,000 people (1,126,442 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 162 per 100,000 people (31,672 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 79.89 per 100,000 people
> Population: 19,542,209

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

38. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,766 per 100,000 people (205,994 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 177 per 100,000 people (6,324 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 63.47 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,572,665

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

37. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,002 per 100,000 people (623,188 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 73 per 100,000 people (7,567 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 80.16 per 100,000 people
> Population: 10,383,620

These are all the counties in North Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

36. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,049 per 100,000 people (636,373 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 109 per 100,000 people (11,458 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 66.95 per 100,000 people
> Population: 10,519,475

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

35. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,270 per 100,000 people (432,791 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 191 per 100,000 people (13,151 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 93.41 per 100,000 people
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

34. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,302 per 100,000 people (358,947 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 91 per 100,000 people (5,190 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 44.39 per 100,000 people
> Population: 5,695,564

These are all the counties in Colorado where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

33. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,564 per 100,000 people (584,765 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 223 per 100,000 people (19,886 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 73.58 per 100,000 people
> Population: 8,908,520

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

32. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,648 per 100,000 people (777,065 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 82 per 100,000 people (9,627 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 67.93 per 100,000 people
> Population: 11,689,442

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images

31. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,749 per 100,000 people (65,273 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 100 per 100,000 people (972 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 85.51 per 100,000 people
> Population: 967,171

These are all the counties in Delaware where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: choness / Getty Images

30. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,752 per 100,000 people (2,670,962 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 75 per 100,000 people (29,701 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 101.01 per 100,000 people
> Population: 39,557,045

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

29. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,795 per 100,000 people (303,625 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 65 per 100,000 people (2,901 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 85.68 per 100,000 people
> Population: 4,468,402

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

28. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,809 per 100,000 people (1,954,406 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 104 per 100,000 people (29,877 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 80.17 per 100,000 people
> Population: 28,701,845

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

27. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,810 per 100,000 people (50,218 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 30 per 100,000 people (223 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 41.07 per 100,000 people
> Population: 737,438

These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

26. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,910 per 100,000 people (423,327 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 97 per 100,000 people (5,948 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 50.29 per 100,000 people
> Population: 6,126,452

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

25. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,935 per 100,000 people (1,477,010 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 109 per 100,000 people (23,259 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 74.83 per 100,000 people
> Population: 21,299,325

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

24. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,973 per 100,000 people (354,525 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 114 per 100,000 people (5,811 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 92.32 per 100,000 people
> Population: 5,084,127

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

23. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,443 per 100,000 people (346,829 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 169 per 100,000 people (7,873 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 79 per 100,000 people
> Population: 4,659,978

These are all the counties in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images

22. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,452 per 100,000 people (156,157 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 131 per 100,000 people (2,749 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 66.56 per 100,000 people
> Population: 2,095,428

These are all the counties in New Mexico where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

21. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,780 per 100,000 people (436,572 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 102 per 100,000 people (5,707 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 40.81 per 100,000 people
> Population: 5,611,179

These are all the counties in Minnesota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

20. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,005 per 100,000 people (239,082 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 173 per 100,000 people (5,167 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 81.42 per 100,000 people
> Population: 2,986,530

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

19. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,074 per 100,000 people (1,028,750 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 151 per 100,000 people (19,293 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 54.86 per 100,000 people
> Population: 12,741,080

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

18. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,106 per 100,000 people (46,832 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 85 per 100,000 people (489 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 48.39 per 100,000 people
> Population: 577,737

These are all the counties in Wyoming where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

17. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,126 per 100,000 people (86,324 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 99 per 100,000 people (1,056 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 53.02 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

16. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,192 per 100,000 people (248,568 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 114 per 100,000 people (3,467 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 79.8 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,034,392

These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

15. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,222 per 100,000 people (401,900 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 109 per 100,000 people (5,334 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 87.58 per 100,000 people
> Population: 4,887,871

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

14. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,323 per 100,000 people (242,322 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 108 per 100,000 people (3,148 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 71.52 per 100,000 people
> Population: 2,911,510

These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

13. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,353 per 100,000 people (251,746 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 133 per 100,000 people (4,010 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 96.24 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,013,825

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

12. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,404 per 100,000 people (331,362 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 70 per 100,000 people (2,761 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 98.87 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,943,079

These are all the counties in Oklahoma where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

11. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,423 per 100,000 people (563,653 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 129 per 100,000 people (8,613 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 80.23 per 100,000 people
> Population: 6,691,878

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

10. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,532 per 100,000 people (149,667 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 87 per 100,000 people (1,534 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 58.31 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,754,208

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images

9. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,625 per 100,000 people (618,546 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 141 per 100,000 people (10,141 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 123.82 per 100,000 people
> Population: 7,171,646

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

8. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,719 per 100,000 people (506,890 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 89 per 100,000 people (5,157 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 50.03 per 100,000 people
> Population: 5,813,568

These are all the counties in Wisconsin where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

7. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,103 per 100,000 people (175,620 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 90 per 100,000 people (1,737 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 54.48 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,929,268

These are all the counties in Nebraska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

6. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,232 per 100,000 people (97,614 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 181 per 100,000 people (1,916 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 130.59 per 100,000 people
> Population: 1,057,315

These are all the counties in Rhode Island where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

5. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,393 per 100,000 people (296,441 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 131 per 100,000 people (4,138 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 55.11 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,156,145

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,658 per 100,000 people (653,869 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 115 per 100,000 people (7,785 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 96.16 per 100,000 people
> Population: 6,770,010

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Bill_Dally / iStock

3. Utah
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,680 per 100,000 people (305,999 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 44 per 100,000 people (1,392 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 101.8 per 100,000 people
> Population: 3,161,105

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

2. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,538 per 100,000 people (92,967 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 180 per 100,000 people (1,585 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 31.41 per 100,000 people
> Population: 882,235

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,461 per 100,000 people (94,716 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths to date: 178 per 100,000 people (1,352 total deaths)
> Avg. new daily cases in the last week: 31.48 per 100,000 people
> Population: 760,077

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.